Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif strongly denounced the statement made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, terming it highly irresponsible and an insult to the immense sacrifices of the martyrs.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman is a seasoned politician and a respected religious leader, and that greater responsibility is expected of him in the choice of his words, he wrote on his social media platform, X.
The Defence Minister said linking the sacrifices of soldiers to their salaries is not only unfair but also hurts the sentiments of the martyrs and their families.
He said nobody lays down their life merely for a salary. The sacrifice of life, he said, is driven by ideology, faith, a sense of duty, and deep devotion to the homeland.
Asif said the war against terrorism is ongoing, and personnel of the Armed Forces, along with members of other institutions and civilians, continue to embrace martyrdom.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi urged Fazlur Rehman to clarify remarks concerning the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, saying the comments had deeply hurt the families of martyrs, wounded soldiers and caused anguish across the country.
Addressing a press conference, the minister paid tribute to the officers and Jawans of the armed forces who lost their lives while defending the country and combating terrorism, arguing that their sacrifices could not be equated with salaries or financial benefits.
Abbasi said every martyr left behind grieving parents, widows and young children whose sacrifices should never be diminished.
Referring to photographs of several martyred officers displayed during the press conference, he said many had embraced martyrdom at a young age, leaving behind families and children who would grow up without their fathers.
Referring to Pakistan’s recent security achievements, Abbasi said the country’s successes were made possible through the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans rather than financial incentives.
He rejected any suggestion that soldiers fought merely because they received salaries, saying many young Pakistanis aspired to join the armed forces despite knowing the risks associated with military service.
Abbasi said the armed forces represented every province and region of Pakistan, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the minister, Pakistan’s armed forces had rendered more than 12,000 martyrs over the past several decades, while thousands of other personnel had sustained life-changing injuries.
He also referred to recent incidents of terrorism, including attacks in Balochistan in which labourers lost their lives, and said such incidents required national unity and unequivocal condemnation.
Calling for a united national response, Abbasi said all political parties, religious leaders and citizens should stand together against terrorism rather than adopt narratives that weakened the morale of the country’s defenders.
Commenting on Maulana Fazlur Rehman remarks, the minister said he continued to hold the JUI-F chief in high regard and had always respected religious scholars.
He said Pakistan had successfully resisted attempts to create divisions on the basis of sectarianism, ethnicity and provincial identity, and urged the nation not to allow such divisions to weaken the country’s unity.
Abbasi warned against efforts by hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan through proxy warfare, terrorism and disinformation campaigns, saying the country’s adversaries sought to create internal discord after failing to achieve their objectives through conventional means.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan said on Tuesday that martyrdom is the ultimate aspiration of a true believer and a great blessing bestowed by Allah Almighty upon those chosen from among the faithful.
In a statement, he said, martyrdom is the ultimate aspiration of a believer. This is a truth beyond the understanding of those preoccupied with worldly affairs and material considerations.
He prayed that Allah Almighty grant families of the martyrs and the Ghazis steadfast patience and unwavering faith. “This is the firm conviction coupled with the spirit of selflessness and sacrifice that guarantees Pakistan’s freedom, security and survival”, he said.
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said it is deeply distressing to place a monetary value on the sacrifices of soldiers who lay down their lives every day to protect the country, bringing honor to both their parents and the nation.
“If you believe money is the answer, then send your own sons to serve on the borders for double the salary.” She described such comparisons as deeply regrettable and insensitive to the sacrifices made by the country’s armed forces.
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP)’s Central Spokesman, Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan on Tuesday criticized Fazlur Rehman, urging him to apologize to the nation, the families of martyred soldiers and the armed forces.